Bonnie Brae Neighborhood Denver CO

The Bonnie Brae Neighborhood, though small when you consider its boundaries: (Exposition Ave. to the north; Mississippi Ave. to the south; Steele St. to the east; and University Blvd. to the west), often captures more than its fair share attention due to the many generations-old businesses that serve Denver as well as the famous curved, tree-lined streets that wind through its historic architecture.  However, it is now its alleys that seem to be stealing the spotlight.

Beginning prior to 2008, Bonnie Brae’s residents became more and more displeased with the state of the alleys behind their homes—considered by most residents to be more an extension of the sidewalk than a thoroughfare for garbage trucks and home owner’s vehicles.  In fact, the proliferation of scattered garbage cans left about by the city prompted neighborhood residents to wage what they now collectively call, “The Alley Wars.”  Taking place in 2008, this battle against the city’s mishandling of trash bins (which the residents eventually won) culminated in an organized protest by residents, who hauled their city-owned bins to the neighborhood Ellipse Park and left them there.

In the wake of their victory, an intriguing idea was born.  Its hope was to drive home the notion that Bonnie Brae’s alleys should harbor more than just trash and traffic.  It was first conceived by resident Wendy Lasko.  Her initiative to line the alley walls of Bonnie Brae with mural art seemed at first both audacious and brilliant.  Using a design technique involving small ceramic tiles, she started with a small mural called, “An Oasis in the Desert: Zenzele.”  And from there the idea took off.

It wasn’t long before other neighbors were educating themselves on the craft of tile murals.  With Wendy’s concept in mind they began to create their own art and affixed their creations in the alleys behind their own homes— right where the previously untidy trash bins used to stand.

The second piece of art to decorate the alleyways was a black and white dairy cow given the name “Marianne’s Moo”: an abstract, geometrical fusion of color and shapes that brings to mind a reprieve with a lot less concrete and lot more pasture.  These first art projects seemed to inspire a theme though, because the next mural to spring up was of another rural destination.  These murals were followed by flowers, dogs, butterflies and, though thematically out-of-step, even a tribute to the band Pink Floyd.

There are now 12 murals and counting, each tucked in an alleyway somewhere in Bonnie Brae.  Three years later Wendy’s idea only continues to gather momentum.  Her unorthodox idea of dressing up what most people consider to be an unsightly, often dangerous place where bad things happen, has caught the attention of the Denver Post and many local neighborhood newsletters.  Wendy now has her own website dedicated to the neighborhood alley art.  Its mission is to educate and promote the project with links to happenings, resident’s input, and even a map that lets anyone give them self a guided tour of the street art.

At least for the time being, it seems that Bonnie Brae, a neighborhood perhaps best know for its eclectic streets, is now best known for its eclectic alleyways.  To learn more about the art and where to find it, visit Wendy’s website at www.bonniebraealleyart.com.

Bonnie Brae Neighborhood Denver CO – Bonnie Brae is a street that has become synonymous with one of the most charming neighborhoods in Denver. Take a drive down one of Bonnie Brae’s winding roads and the appeal of the area will become instantly apparent. Located just north of the University of Denver, Bonnie Brae is the home of some Denver’s most beloved establishments, including: Bonnie Brae Tavern, The Saucy Noodle and Bonnie Brae Ice Cream. Beautiful Ellipse Park adds to the sense of tranquility and outdoor appeal of the neighborhood. While Bonnie Brae may be full of yesteryear charm, just ten minutes north is the lavish Cherry Creek shopping district, and just five minutes south is I-25, which allows residents of Bonnie Brae access to a variety of upscale dining, nightlife, and shopping options, and only adds to its real-estate popularity.